A skill- gap study: An analytical approach with a special focus on Tourism Education and the Tourism Industry in Odisha

Abstract

The aim of this study is to ascertain whether there is a gap between institutes offering tourism education curriculum with respect to skill-sets and the skills required by the tourism industry in Odisha. An in-depth study was carried out based on the literature on the generic skills on offer by various universities and institutes offering tourism degree courses across the country and the State. Based on the list of 20 (Twenty) attributes/skills identified, the data was analyzed to know the views of the tourism education providers or academicians and the industry professionals. The study found considerable variance on 20 attributes/skills amongst the industry professionals and academic provider’s perspective in Odisha. The finding confirms that there lies a skill gap between the present tourism education syllabus and the requirements of the tourism industry. Further, on reviewing the existing literature available on tourism education and tourism industry, it was found that tourism education and tourism industry are the two sides of the same coin and cannot be isolated from each other and there should be an amalgamation of both theory & concepts and real practical know-how. Thus, on the issue of bridging the skills-gap, it was suggested that those working closely on designing the higher tourism education curricula, need to work in liaison with representatives of the tourism industry so as to ensure a deep connection between theory and practice so that the needed skill-sets of graduates of tourism education can align with those expected in the tourism industry.

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